Saranac Laboratories

Saranac Laboratories: A Pivotal Institution in Asbestos Research and Industry Influence

Introduction: Saranac Laboratories, established in the early 20th century, played a significant role in the study of occupational diseases, including those caused by asbestos exposure. Renowned for its research on tuberculosis and industrial health hazards, the laboratory became a central figure in the asbestos industry's history. Its work, however, is marred by allegations of corporate influence and suppression of critical findings related to asbestos-related diseases. Saranac Laboratories is a key subject in understanding the intersection of science, industry, and public health in asbestos litigation and occupational safety.

Historical Background: Saranac Laboratories was founded as part of the Trudeau Sanatorium in Saranac Lake, New York, originally focusing on tuberculosis research. By the 1920s and 1930s, the laboratory expanded its scope to include industrial health hazards, including the effects of asbestos exposure. During this period, the laboratory received significant funding from corporate entities, including Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, which contributed to its research on pneumoconiosis and other occupational diseases.

In the 1930s and 1940s, Saranac Laboratories conducted animal studies and other research that revealed the harmful effects of asbestos exposure, including its link to lung diseases such as asbestosis and cancer. However, evidence suggests that some of these findings were suppressed or downplayed due to pressure from corporate sponsors, including asbestos manufacturers. This suppression of information became a focal point in later asbestos litigation, as plaintiffs sought to prove that companies were aware of the dangers of asbestos but failed to warn workers and the public.

Legal and Scientific Context: Saranac Laboratories' research is frequently cited in asbestos-related lawsuits as evidence of early knowledge about the health risks of asbestos exposure. The laboratory's studies demonstrated the carcinogenic and fibrogenic properties of asbestos, findings that were critical in establishing the scientific basis for asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.

However, the laboratory's close ties to corporate sponsors, including asbestos manufacturers, raised questions about the integrity of its research. Documents revealed during litigation showed that some studies were altered or withheld to protect the interests of the asbestos industry. For example, correspondence between Saranac researchers and corporate executives indicated efforts to delay or suppress the publication of findings that could harm the industry's reputation or lead to stricter regulations.

This history of corporate influence has made Saranac Laboratories a symbol of the broader issue of scientific manipulation in the asbestos industry. It underscores the challenges faced by public health advocates in combating industrial efforts to obscure the dangers of toxic substances.

Impact and Modern Relevance: The legacy of Saranac Laboratories continues to influence asbestos litigation and public health policy. The laboratory's research, despite its controversies, provided early evidence of the health risks associated with asbestos, which has been instrumental in holding companies accountable for exposing workers and consumers to this hazardous material.

The suppression of Saranac's findings has also become a cautionary tale about the dangers of corporate influence in scientific research. It has spurred calls for greater transparency and independence in studies related to occupational and environmental health.

Today, Saranac Laboratories is frequently referenced in legal cases as an example of how industry-funded research can be used to delay regulatory action and deny liability. Its history serves as a reminder of the importance of unbiased scientific inquiry in protecting public health.

Example or Case Study: One notable example of Saranac Laboratories' influence is its involvement in the 1979 asbestos litigation, where plaintiffs' attorneys sought access to the laboratory's records. These records revealed that critical findings about the health risks of asbestos had been withheld or destroyed under corporate pressure. This evidence was pivotal in proving that asbestos manufacturers were aware of the dangers but chose to prioritize profits over safety.